When MPs jump ship, Canadians lose
By Lethbridge Herald on March 7, 2026.
FROM THE HILL- MP RACHAEL THOMAS
What makes a Member of Parliament cross the floor? Conflict, power, prestige, a new title, or perhaps significant international opportunities.
While factors like ambition certainly play a role, I believe we’re missing a fundamental piece of the puzzle.
When politicians cross the floor to join the government, they reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of their role. They lose sight of the vital function opposition plays in Canada and in any healthy democracy. The role of the opposition is not secondary. The Loyal Opposition provides essential accountability, advances alternative policy solutions, and gives voice to the many Canadians whose views must be represented and defended.
Those that choose to cross the floor abandon the principles and commitments that brought them to office in the first place. In doing so, they fail not only the community that elected them, but also the country and the democratic system they were entrusted to uphold.
The role of the Loyal Opposition is often overlooked. The concept traces back to the United Kingdom, where the term underscored an important principle: members of the opposition can vigorously challenge the government of the day while remaining loyal to the Crown and to the country’s democratic institutions. In Canada, the Loyal Opposition serves as a cornerstone of our parliamentary system.
As the Loyal Opposition, we comb through government actions to expose wasteful spending, misleading claims, ethical violations, and to propose alternative policies. This work is essential for transparency, accountability, and protecting Canadians’ interests.
A recent example of this came during debate on the Budget Implementation Act. This was a 638-page bill packed with sweeping changes to Canadian law. Buried deep within it was a deeply troubling clause that would have granted Liberal ministers powers more suited to a king than to a cabinet minister in a democracy. The provision would have allowed any minister to exempt individuals or corporations from virtually any federal law, with the sole exception of the Criminal Code. That is extraordinary authority granted with virtually no meaningful safeguards.
Conservatives sounded the alarm. We introduced an amendment to rein in these powers and restore proper democratic oversight. Fortunately, that amendment was adopted, ensuring the bill included the safeguards Canadians expect.
This is the role of the opposition in action. We scrutinize legislation. We identify dangerous flaws. We hold the government to account. And we put forward real solutions that strengthen the democratic guardrails Canadians rely on.
When the government fails to act, the Loyal Opposition steps forward with bold and innovative solutions. Canadians have been waiting for more than a decade for meaningful online harms legislation to protect children and vulnerable Canadians. One of my Conservative colleagues has introduced such legislation in the form of Bill C-216, the Promotion of Safety in the Digital Age Act. This legislation would establish a duty of care for online platforms and introduce real enforcement mechanisms to protect children and hold predators accountable.
The bill has garnered significant public support. Yet despite the urgency of this issue, parliamentary rules prevent Conservatives from bringing it forward for debate at this time. Still, there is nothing stopping the government from adopting its measures and introducing them as government legislation.
This is another clear example of how the Loyal Opposition serves Canadians. We identify problems the government ignores, we propose practical solutions, and we focus on delivering real protections for the people we serve.
Being a part of the opposition isn’t easy. Our efforts are often overlooked or dismissed by the government. We bring forward real solutions with the hope of making a difference, only to face rejection or inaction from the Liberals. But this doesn’t make our work any less important.
Despite these challenges, the work of the opposition is what keeps our democracy strong. It ensures that no government operates without scrutiny and that Canadians’ voices are represented even when the ruling party turns a blind eye. Every question asked in Parliament, every amendment proposed, and every report issued is a reminder that accountability matters, and that policies must serve the public, not just political interests.
This brings us back to floor crossers. When a Member of Parliament jumps ship to join the government, it’s more than a political move, it’s a step away from the very heartbeat of our democracy. They turn their back on holding power to account, scrutinizing laws, and defending the interests of their electorate.
Floor crossers overlook the role of the Loyal Opposition and, in doing so, miss the chance to truly stand up for Canadians and support a healthy, functioning democracy.
19-18
How about the member is dissatisfied with his party’s leadership and lack of policies. This member then joins another party which more closely aligns with their vision for Canada and agrees with how that leader is communicating that vision. Now go back to warming ur seat while earning ur salary doing nothing constructive and padding ur pension.
bravo to your grandstanding message: not! i do not recall any such blather when libs crossed the floor to the cons, ever! my takeaway is that floor crossing is fine – so long as it is the cons getting the rogue member.
of course, floor crossing should not be permitted. an elected member should be able to leave a party if they feel it is in the best interests of their riding, but they must then sit as an independent. even then, it may serve democracy best to have a byelection follow within a reasonable time, inside of a year if no general election is forthcoming, so that the riding can again decide if they want a party puppet mp, like thomas, or an independent.
Floor crossing is uppermost on the MPs mind?
The threat of selenium poisoning of the Old Man River, toxic coal dust dust pollution driven by frequent strong west winds, more decimation of species at risk together with destroying natural habitat for land based species is a reality.
In January, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced plans to close seven critically important research facilities across the country, end the Organic and Regenerative Research Program, and terminate 12% of AAFC personnel – 665 researchers, technicians, and support staff whose experience, knowledge and skills are highly specialized within less than 12 months. These federal funding cuts would throw away decades of public investment in people, science and infrastructure, while increasing long-term risk to farmers and the food system.
Lethbridge is an agricultural food hub.
Advocate for the agricultural community in your constituency.
Advocate for food security for all residents in your constituency.
Do what you were elected to do, Ms. Thomas.
The liberals won’t hear Ms. Thomas. Their policy is crap on Alberta.Hence the ag research cuts. Part of Carney’s promise to cut civil service. In his self service he is hesitant to cut eastern jobs. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, elects you.
Once again, utter unadulterated rubbish. The cuts are nation wide for God’s sake.
When your beloved Conservatives stop winging without offering any sort of decent rebuttal, perhaps there will be somewhat more loyalty from your fellow members. Not surprising, since your boss is the proverbial pit bull with no comprehension of actual Westminster debate .
just watched a bit of question period in the h of c today. pierre just keeps on with the demagoguery – ad nauseam negativity, hyperbole, baseless fact altering blabber, to the point that he mocks and misrepresents gun laws whilst trying to posture that he cares about gun violence. ever stuck on repeat.
Hypocrisy personified. Back in 2006 Harper was ecstatic when Emerson crossed the floor to the Conservatives, yet here we are years later and she is now outraged that someone from her party would do exactly the same thing.
Sad but totally expected!